Apocryphal collection · Jewish-Christian and lost · 2 min read
Gospel of the Ebionites
A vegetarian John the Baptist and the end of sacrifices
The full text of this study is in Portuguese; the summary, key points and official view are in English.
The Ebionites were Christians of Jewish origin who kept the Law and saw Jesus as a prophet and a human Messiah. Epiphanius quotes passages from their gospel, written in Greek, which harmonized Matthew, Mark and Luke. The differences reveal the group’s convictions: John the Baptist does not eat locusts (akrís) but honey cakes (enkrís), a vegetarian diet, and Jesus declares: “I came to abolish the sacrifices; and if you do not stop sacrificing, the wrath will not cease from you”.
Key points
- Only source: quotations by Epiphanius, Panarion 30 (4th century).
- Language: Greek; composed probably in the 2nd century.
- It harmonizes the three synoptic gospels.
- It defends vegetarianism and the end of animal sacrifices.
- At the baptism, a great light shines around the place.
What scholars say
It bears witness to a Jewish Christianity that valued the Law and rejected sacrifices and meat. As all the material comes from Epiphanius, an opponent, there are uncertainties about its full content.
Keep investigating
- Gospel of the Hebrews The Spirit as mother and the appearance to James the Just
- Gospel of the Nazarenes An Aramaic Matthew and the Temple lintel that broke
Other languages: Português · Español
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